00:00:02
This is a story about
an incredible primate.
00:00:08
Highly sociable,
extremely affectionate,
00:00:14
and very vocal.
00:00:16
(squeak)
00:00:18
The golden snub-nosed monkey.
00:00:23
Its home: China's
remote mountain forests.
00:00:30
China is a realm
of diverse landscapes,
00:00:36
full of rare and
surprising creatures.
00:00:41
For the first time,
00:00:43
we'll uncover their
remarkable untold stories
00:00:50
in The Hidden Kingdoms
of China.
00:00:54
♪ ♪
00:01:00
♪ ♪
00:01:12
♪ ♪
00:01:16
♪ ♪
00:01:23
A newborn golden
snub-nosed monkey.
00:01:29
She's just a few hours old
00:01:34
and entirely dependent
on her mother.
00:01:37
♪ ♪
00:01:42
♪ ♪
00:01:50
In the year ahead she'll be
at her most vulnerable
00:01:54
and will face many challenges.
00:01:58
She'll need intelligence,
strength,
00:02:02
and most of all,
her family's care and love,
00:02:07
if she's to survive in China's
mountain forest kingdom.
00:02:12
♪ ♪
00:02:16
♪ ♪
00:02:22
♪ ♪
00:02:28
The endangered golden
snub-nosed monkey lives only
00:02:32
in the high mountain forests
of central China.
00:02:36
♪ ♪
00:02:42
Up to 13,000 feet
above sea level.
00:02:46
♪ ♪
00:02:50
(cry)
00:02:51
Our baby girl's troop lives
00:02:53
in the world's largest
high altitude forest,
00:02:59
where there are
more tree species
00:03:01
than in any other
deciduous forest on Earth.
00:03:06
(birds chirping)
00:03:12
It's spring.
00:03:16
And the monkeys
are in high spirits.
00:03:19
♪ ♪
00:03:22
♪ ♪
00:03:29
The troop has five families.
00:03:33
Each with one male,
several females,
00:03:39
and their young.
00:03:43
(squeak)
00:03:44
Males that aren't
part of the family
00:03:46
live in the troop's
bachelor gang.
00:03:49
♪ ♪
00:03:52
♪ ♪
00:03:57
They're a boisterous bunch,
00:03:59
but right now, they're not
the center of attention.
00:04:05
That honor belongs
to our baby girl.
00:04:10
She's the first born
this spring,
00:04:14
and the females in the family
00:04:16
will do anything
to get a cuddle.
00:04:19
(squeaking)
00:04:24
This auntie is first in line.
00:04:30
But not for long.
00:04:33
(squeaking)
00:04:36
With only one baby
to go around,
00:04:42
competition is fierce.
00:04:46
(squeaking)
00:04:49
(squeaking)
00:04:54
♪ ♪
00:05:00
When it all gets
a bit too much,
00:05:05
it's mom to the rescue.
00:05:10
♪ ♪
00:05:14
(squeak)
00:05:16
♪ ♪
00:05:22
♪ ♪
00:05:29
(squeak)
00:05:31
♪ ♪
00:05:36
The monkeys' attention soon
turns to their tummies.
00:05:45
In spring they spend
a quarter of daylight hours
00:05:49
eating fresh new leaves.
00:05:53
Their favorite food and
an important source of protein.
00:06:02
As temperatures rise,
00:06:04
trees higher up the mountain
spring to life.
00:06:11
And the monkeys
follow the feast.
00:06:25
(cry)
00:06:26
Crystal clear streams
run through
00:06:28
these high forest valleys.
00:06:37
The surrounding trees
filter the rain,
00:06:41
and their shade keeps
the water cool,
00:06:44
helping to maintain healthy
levels of dissolved oxygen.
00:06:54
These pristine streams
are a lifeline.
00:06:59
And not just for the monkeys.
00:07:02
♪ ♪
00:07:06
♪ ♪
00:07:12
One of China's strangest
creatures lives here.
00:07:17
♪ ♪
00:07:24
The Chinese giant salamander
has hardly changed
00:07:28
since the Jurassic period
over 170 million years ago.
00:07:34
♪ ♪
00:07:36
♪ ♪
00:07:41
Growing up to 6 feet long,
00:07:44
it's the largest amphibian
in the world.
00:07:49
This female has tiny eyes
and poor vision,
00:07:54
relying instead on smell, touch
00:07:57
and sensing vibrations
to get around.
00:08:03
She spends most of her life
underwater,
00:08:06
absorbing oxygen
through her skin.
00:08:12
Folds increase the surface
area, maximizing the process.
00:08:23
Although revered for centuries
in China,
00:08:26
illegal hunting and
habitat destruction has left
00:08:29
these creatures critically
endangered in the wild.
00:08:37
For the few who remain,
00:08:39
remote forest streams like this
are a vital refuge.
00:08:43
♪ ♪
00:08:45
♪ ♪
00:08:58
Our baby girl is now
three weeks old
00:09:03
and exploring her forest home.
00:09:10
She soon discovers that she
shares it with other creatures.
00:09:15
♪ ♪
00:09:18
♪ ♪
00:09:25
♪ ♪
00:09:31
But it's the family's
playful youngsters
00:09:34
that really catch her eye.
00:09:36
♪ ♪
00:09:41
♪ ♪
00:09:47
A year or two older than her,
00:09:49
their lives seem like
one endless play session.
00:09:56
And she's eager to try out some
of the skills they've mastered.
00:10:00
♪ ♪
00:10:06
Hanging from one arm
is best tried
00:10:09
close to the ground
to begin with.
00:10:15
(whimper)
00:10:16
♪ ♪
00:10:22
Walking along a branch
looks easy,
00:10:26
but for our baby
it takes concentration...
00:10:33
bravery...
00:10:36
and brain power.
00:10:41
She's figuring out
how to turn around
00:10:48
and get back to mom.
00:10:55
A moment of comfort...
00:11:01
...before the next adventure.
00:11:06
Babies learn very quickly.
00:11:09
♪ ♪
00:11:14
And soon, she's climbing trees.
00:11:18
♪ ♪
00:11:21
♪ ♪
00:11:28
By following her instincts
and imitating others,
00:11:32
she's grasping
essential monkey skills.
00:11:37
♪ ♪
00:11:40
♪ ♪
00:11:47
Spring is when all
the new babies are born.
00:11:56
It offers them
the best chance of survival,
00:12:00
as they'll have the warmer
months to grow strong.
00:12:10
But in this high mountain
forest, nothing is guaranteed.
00:12:20
Spring weather can change
in an instant.
00:12:27
A sudden drop in temperature
00:12:29
threatens all
the troop's babies.
00:12:40
In China's
high mountain forests,
00:12:43
spring rain brings
a sudden drop in temperature.
00:12:49
Our baby girl doesn't yet
have a full coat
00:12:52
to protect her from
the cold and wet.
00:12:58
Alone in the treetops, she's
vulnerable to hypothermia.
00:13:03
♪ ♪
00:13:06
♪ ♪
00:13:16
(squeaking)
00:13:18
Her mom and family step in
to keep her warm and dry.
00:13:29
But as the weather worsens,
00:13:33
rain turns to snow.
00:13:36
♪ ♪
00:13:38
♪ ♪
00:13:44
Disaster strikes the family.
00:13:47
(crying)
00:13:49
♪ ♪
00:13:54
♪ ♪
00:14:00
A mother cradles the lifeless
body of her newborn baby.
00:14:05
♪ ♪
00:14:09
♪ ♪
00:14:15
♪ ♪
00:14:22
Her maternal instinct
is so strong,
00:14:25
she cares for her infant
as though it's still alive.
00:14:29
♪ ♪
00:14:33
♪ ♪
00:14:39
Family members try
to comfort her.
00:14:41
♪ ♪
00:14:44
♪ ♪
00:14:49
But she seeks solitude.
00:14:56
These monkeys seem
to understand death,
00:15:01
and this mother isn't
ready to let go.
00:15:21
♪ ♪
00:15:28
The sunshine returns,
00:15:33
and life flourishes once more
in the mountain forests.
00:15:40
In time, spring
turns to summer.
00:15:45
♪ ♪
00:15:51
♪ ♪
00:15:58
♪ ♪
00:16:04
Trees are in full bloom,
00:16:07
and food is plentiful.
00:16:12
This area has more than
4,000 plant species,
00:16:17
making these forests
00:16:18
among the most biologically
diverse on Earth.
00:16:31
With food in such easy reach,
00:16:35
there's plenty of time
for other activities,
00:16:40
such as grooming.
00:16:44
An all-important part
of monkey society.
00:16:56
It keeps skin and fur clean.
00:17:01
But more importantly, builds
and cements relationships.
00:17:05
(squeak)
00:17:12
And it's just so relaxing.
00:17:20
Naptime soon follows.
00:17:39
♪ ♪
00:17:43
Our baby girl
doesn't doze for long.
00:17:47
♪ ♪
00:17:50
(squeaking)
00:17:54
At three months old,
00:17:56
with stronger muscles
and hand-eye coordination,
00:17:59
she's coming on
leaps and bounds.
00:18:02
♪ ♪
00:18:06
♪ ♪
00:18:12
And she's taking a big step
in her social development.
00:18:19
Playing with other babies.
00:18:21
♪ ♪
00:18:27
(squeaking)
00:18:32
But at this age,
she's soon distracted
00:18:35
and wanders off exploring.
00:18:44
As the adults doze
in the afternoon sun,
00:18:50
a cold-blooded killer
is waking up.
00:18:54
♪ ♪
00:18:57
♪ ♪
00:19:03
And our baby girl has
caught his attention.
00:19:15
A king rat snake is heading
towards our baby girl.
00:19:28
This constrictor
eats any creature
00:19:31
it can wrap itself around.
00:19:33
♪ ♪
00:19:35
♪ ♪
00:19:41
♪ ♪
00:19:47
(yip)
00:19:50
The alarm is raised.
00:19:52
(squeaking, yipping)
00:19:57
(squeaking, yipping)
00:20:07
Many pairs of eyes help
keep the monkeys safe.
00:20:14
(squeaking)
00:20:19
The troop moves on.
00:20:24
In this complex society,
00:20:26
these intelligent monkeys use
many different vocalizations.
00:20:31
(squeaking, yipping)
00:20:37
As the families and
bachelor gang travel together,
00:20:40
contact calls keep them
all in touch.
00:20:43
(squeaking)
00:20:47
Individuals have their own
unique signature calls.
00:20:51
(whine)
00:20:53
Particularly useful
in dense vegetation
00:20:56
when they can't see
each other well.
00:20:59
(squeaking)
00:21:02
They have lots to talk about
in their ever-changing world.
00:21:06
(squeaking)
00:21:11
And the seasons are
turning once more.
00:21:15
♪ ♪
00:21:17
♪ ♪
00:21:22
Fall is arriving.
00:21:26
One of the most spectacular
times of year.
00:21:30
♪ ♪
00:21:37
♪ ♪
00:21:43
♪ ♪
00:21:48
(squeaking)
00:21:52
(squeaking)
00:22:02
At six months old,
00:22:04
our baby girl still
depends on mom's milk.
00:22:10
But she's also developing
a taste for new things.
00:22:18
She takes her first bites
of solid food.
00:22:28
Tries her hand at grooming.
00:22:37
And she spends more time
than ever playing.
00:22:41
♪ ♪
00:22:46
Ten times more than
she did in summer.
00:22:50
(squeak)
00:22:51
♪ ♪
00:22:56
Playing is fun,
but it's important, too.
00:23:00
It keeps the monkeys
fit and strong,
00:23:03
enhances their social skills,
and sharpens their brains.
00:23:07
♪ ♪
00:23:13
As long as they get
the landing right.
00:23:19
In Chinese folklore,
00:23:21
monkeys represent
rebellion and mischief.
00:23:24
(screeching)
00:23:26
One group that lives up
to that reputation
00:23:29
is the troop's bachelor gang.
00:23:36
These young males were evicted
from their families
00:23:38
before they turned three.
00:23:44
(wee)
00:23:49
(squeaking)
00:23:55
(squeaking)
00:24:03
They wrestle endlessly,
00:24:07
preparing for the day
00:24:08
they'll fight to try
to win their own family.
00:24:20
One of the older bachelors
has reached that point.
00:24:24
♪ ♪
00:24:29
Aged seven,
the warts on his lips
00:24:31
show that he's sexually mature.
00:24:36
Apparently, these warts
are attractive to females.
00:24:42
He'll win the right to mate,
if he can take over a family.
00:24:48
(squeaking)
00:24:50
♪ ♪
00:24:56
He's going to try to overthrow
our baby girl's dad.
00:25:01
♪ ♪
00:25:03
♪ ♪
00:25:08
(squeak)
00:25:12
Dad and his family
are under threat.
00:25:16
Males who take over have
been known to kill babies,
00:25:19
so that they can sire
their own offspring.
00:25:26
Our baby girl could be
in grave danger.
00:25:36
(shrieking)
00:25:40
A challenger is battling
our baby girl's dad,
00:25:44
hoping to take over his family.
00:25:47
♪ ♪
00:25:52
If he wins, he could kill her.
00:25:55
(shrieking)
00:26:01
(shrieking)
00:26:08
Dad's an experienced fighter,
00:26:10
but not as young and strong
as he used to be.
00:26:16
What he does have
00:26:20
is the support of his females.
00:26:22
(shrieking)
00:26:28
♪ ♪
00:26:34
♪ ♪
00:26:42
The challenger is sent packing.
00:26:49
Dad returns to our baby girl's
mom for comfort.
00:26:56
It's thanks to the females
00:26:58
that he's kept his position
in the family...
00:27:05
...including his mating rights.
00:27:11
Fall is the breeding season,
00:27:14
and the female who lost
her baby in spring
00:27:17
is ready to mate again.
00:27:24
To win the male's affections
she showers him with attention.
00:27:31
Female golden snub-nosed
monkeys use grooming
00:27:34
as currency, hoping
to exchange it for sex.
00:27:39
♪ ♪
00:27:42
♪ ♪
00:27:49
And she seems to be finding
all the right spots.
00:27:53
♪ ♪
00:27:58
♪ ♪
00:28:04
(squeak)
00:28:10
They'll mate several times.
00:28:17
But only time will tell if
she'll give birth next spring.
00:28:28
♪ ♪
00:28:33
With fall progressing
in China's forests,
00:28:36
trees shed their leaves.
00:28:39
♪ ♪
00:28:44
A way to save energy during
the cold months ahead.
00:28:48
♪ ♪
00:28:51
♪ ♪
00:28:58
With less on offer,
00:28:59
the monkeys eat bamboo leaves
and pine needles.
00:29:08
All the forest's creatures
get ready for winter.
00:29:12
♪ ♪
00:29:15
♪ ♪
00:29:19
This remote
high altitude refuge
00:29:22
is home to over
90 mammal species.
00:29:29
But most are secretive
and seldom seen.
00:29:33
♪ ♪
00:29:37
Yellow-throated marten
search the forest floor
00:29:41
for fallen fruit and seeds.
00:29:43
♪ ♪
00:29:49
The forest provides
this vital food source,
00:29:52
and the martens
return the favor.
00:29:57
Traveling far and wide,
00:29:59
they spread seeds
through their droppings.
00:30:02
♪ ♪
00:30:04
♪ ♪
00:30:13
And seeds disperse
in more than one way.
00:30:16
♪ ♪
00:30:19
♪ ♪
00:30:25
Some attach to
the monkeys' coats.
00:30:27
♪ ♪
00:30:34
In fall, the monkeys travel
up to two miles each day,
00:30:38
spreading the seeds as they go.
00:30:41
♪ ♪
00:30:46
The forest's plants and animals
00:30:48
depend on one another
for survival.
00:30:51
♪ ♪
00:30:54
♪ ♪
00:31:00
Our baby girl is now
nine months old,
00:31:04
and with a thicker coat
00:31:06
she's ready for
the harshest time of year.
00:31:09
♪ ♪
00:31:13
♪ ♪
00:31:19
She seems fascinated by
the first snows of winter...
00:31:24
♪ ♪
00:31:26
♪ ♪
00:31:32
...and explores
her frosty world.
00:31:38
What she doesn't yet know
00:31:40
is that four months of snow
lies ahead.
00:31:46
To get through it, she'll need
to master a new skill,
00:31:50
unique to these monkeys.
00:31:59
♪ ♪
00:32:06
♪ ♪
00:32:12
As winter temperatures plummet,
00:32:14
our baby girl seeks comfort
and warmth with her mom.
00:32:18
♪ ♪
00:32:21
♪ ♪
00:32:26
They can't escape the cold.
00:32:32
In fact, these monkeys tolerate
00:32:34
the coldest
average temperatures
00:32:37
of any non-human primate
on the planet.
00:32:41
♪ ♪
00:32:47
♪ ♪
00:32:53
Their dense golden coats
thicken up in winter...
00:33:01
...covering their
hands and feet.
00:33:07
And those strange snub noses
are less exposed to frostbite.
00:33:17
They also have another
remarkable adaptation.
00:33:21
♪ ♪
00:33:27
♪ ♪
00:33:33
♪ ♪
00:33:40
They're the only monkeys
in the world
00:33:42
known to travel
on two legs in snow.
00:33:46
♪ ♪
00:33:53
♪ ♪
00:34:00
♪ ♪
00:34:07
♪ ♪
00:34:14
It keeps their hands
off the cold ground.
00:34:17
♪ ♪
00:34:22
And helps them travel faster,
00:34:25
reducing the time they spend
in contact with the icy snow.
00:34:30
♪ ♪
00:34:32
♪ ♪
00:34:39
♪ ♪
00:34:46
Our baby girl reaches
another milestone...
00:34:52
...as she gets the hang
of this new skill.
00:34:55
♪ ♪
00:34:58
♪ ♪
00:35:04
♪ ♪
00:35:11
This unique behavior
could be the source
00:35:14
of an ancient Chinese legend.
00:35:20
These forests are said
to be home to wild men.
00:35:30
Mysterious ape-like figures
with red hair,
00:35:36
who walk upright
through the trees.
00:35:39
♪ ♪
00:35:42
♪ ♪
00:35:47
Sounds a lot like
the golden snub-nosed monkey.
00:36:00
Or maybe there really are
unknown and mysterious wild men
00:36:06
roaming these forests.
00:36:09
(bird caws)
00:36:20
To escape the freezing
temperatures
00:36:22
in China's forests,
some creatures hibernate,
00:36:27
and others migrate.
00:36:37
For those who stick around,
00:36:40
having a strategy is vital.
00:36:46
This little guy is a sable.
00:36:51
Rarely seen or filmed,
00:36:53
he's a smaller cousin of
the yellow-throated marten.
00:36:59
Today he's out hunting.
00:37:03
Using his keen sense of smell
and sharp hearing
00:37:06
to search for small prey.
00:37:15
Large snowshoe-like feet
help him travel lightly
00:37:19
on top of the deep snow.
00:37:31
Winter is the hardest time
to find food,
00:37:36
but he's got that covered.
00:37:39
♪ ♪
00:37:44
When times were good,
he stockpiled food underground.
00:37:53
This survival strategy
is a lifesaver.
00:37:56
♪ ♪
00:38:03
♪ ♪
00:38:09
♪ ♪
00:38:16
To generate enough body heat
to stay alive,
00:38:19
the monkeys now need
more calories
00:38:21
than at any other time of year.
00:38:28
Carbohydrate-rich bark
and lichens
00:38:30
become their main
source of food.
00:38:41
Diverse gut organisms and
a multi-chambered stomach
00:38:44
help them digest
this tough diet.
00:38:48
♪ ♪
00:38:53
♪ ♪
00:38:59
As winter reaches
its coldest point,
00:39:02
the temperature plunges
to -4 degrees Fahrenheit.
00:39:06
(wind blowing)
00:39:11
The monkeys could
freeze to death.
00:39:17
They need another way
to stay warm.
00:39:28
In the depths of winter,
00:39:29
our baby girl
and family struggle
00:39:32
in subzero temperatures.
00:39:34
♪ ♪
00:39:41
♪ ♪
00:39:47
But luckily, they have
another way to keep warm.
00:39:51
♪ ♪
00:39:57
♪ ♪
00:40:03
Sharing body heat.
00:40:05
♪ ♪
00:40:11
♪ ♪
00:40:17
These affectionate monkeys
huddle all year round,
00:40:21
but they do it
much more in winter.
00:40:26
Their lives depend on being
surrounded by family...
00:40:33
...or fellow bachelors.
00:40:35
♪ ♪
00:40:40
(squeak)
00:40:44
Our baby girl hides out
in the warmest spot...
00:40:49
♪ ♪
00:40:53
♪ ♪
00:40:59
...until it's safe
to venture out again.
00:41:07
(chirping)
00:41:11
(squeak)
00:41:13
(birds chirping)
00:41:19
♪ ♪
00:41:24
♪ ♪
00:41:31
♪ ♪
00:41:37
Winter's long silence
is finally broken.
00:41:41
♪ ♪
00:41:46
It's a time of transformation
and celebration.
00:41:50
♪ ♪
00:41:55
The monkeys have
lost body weight,
00:41:59
but their favorite food
is growing again.
00:42:03
♪ ♪
00:42:05
♪ ♪
00:42:12
♪ ♪
00:42:18
Our baby girl is
now a year old.
00:42:23
As grown up as she's become,
00:42:25
she still returns frequently
to mom for milk and comfort.
00:42:35
She won't be fully weaned
for another year,
00:42:39
when her mom gives birth again.
00:42:45
And even then,
they'll likely stay close
00:42:47
for a few more years.
00:42:54
The cycle of life
keeps turning.
00:42:58
And the family
continues to grow.
00:43:04
The female that lost her baby
last spring has a new arrival.
00:43:10
Already two weeks old,
he's healthy and strong.
00:43:14
♪ ♪
00:43:18
♪ ♪
00:43:25
Our yearling girl is eager
to introduce herself
00:43:28
to her new little cousin.
00:43:30
♪ ♪
00:43:37
No longer the baby,
she knows that in the future
00:43:40
he'll be a playmate and
someone she can help care for.
00:43:45
♪ ♪
00:43:51
One day she'll likely
become a mother herself,
00:43:55
and continue the long line of
these extraordinary monkeys
00:44:01
living in China's
hidden forest kingdom.
00:44:09
Captioned by
Side Door Media Services
